Humber leaders have underscored the region’s significance as a hub for low carbon investment at UKREiiF. Last week, Humber Freeport joined representatives from across the region at the property event in Leeds. With more than 14,000 delegates from the property, planning, investment, and infrastructure sectors in attendance, Humber Freeport shared the region’s compelling narrative.
The discussions centred on the Humber’s unique position as a centre for low carbon energy and its strong potential to attract advanced manufacturing and other large-scale investments. The panellists at UKREiiF included Humber Freeport chief executive Simon Green and Jo Barnes, managing director of Sewell Estates and a member of the freeport board. The Humber delegation also featured representatives from all four of the region’s local authorities, Associated British Ports, Wykeland Group, CATCH, Sewell Group, and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.
Simon Green highlighted the region’s substantial energy contributions: “The Humber generates 20 per cent of the UK’s energy, and just off our coastline is the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The importance of the Humber as a prime destination for low carbon energy investment cannot be overstated. Our region boasts a diverse energy mix, from offshore wind and solar to emerging technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. Humber Freeport has already attracted significant investment from businesses prioritising green energy and sustainability. Our task now is to build on this positive momentum and develop a comprehensive cluster offering both depth and breadth.”
The conference also covered several recent investments at Humber Freeport tax sites in Hull and Goole, including Pensana’s rare earth processing facility at Saltend Chemicals Park near Hull and Meld Energy’s proposed green hydrogen plant at the same site. In Goole, Finnish manufacturer Metsä Tissue has proposed the UK’s largest paper tissue mill, a development that could create hundreds of direct jobs.
Jo Barnes reflected on the significance of the event: “For Humber Freeport, this has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase our unique proposition on a national stage, in front of key audiences and decision-makers who can influence the future of our region. Through transformative projects like Yorkshire Energy Park, Humber Freeport can drive sustainable and clean economic growth, creating jobs and transforming lives and futures.”
Pensana plc (LON:PRE) explores and mines neodymium, praseodymium, and rare earth minerals. The Company’s flagship assets are the Saltend rare earth refinery project in the United Kingdom and Longonjo neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) Project in Angola.
